iPhone App Directory

I thought I'd end off 2015 with a round up of my favourite posts of the year. Now the easiest thing to do would have been to simply direct you at the featured tagged posts, but that seemed like a bit of cheap way of doing it, so instead here's a more considered list of my favs this year.

Let's start off with music as an app, that still is an interesting idea and one that people still struggle with and don't really get right. This was a great step towards getting it right in my view. Music tech funding is an odd area and one that is hard to understand, this post aimed to try to clear up a few things and ask some questions too. Speaking at Abbey Road Studios was probably one of the most amazing and also important things I did this year and this post is about just that.

But even though that was quite important it doesn't mean that everything has to be so serious does it? I postedthis in an attempt to make the point that creating music doesn't have to be so serious and needs to be fun too.

Mobile music has become about apps in the main, so here, in this post I decided to point out a few of the things I thought were important in an app. Just 10 things to consider, but important things and all of it still stands in my view, but I would say that! On a similar note, I had to ask if there were too many synth apps in the iOS world, and, if anything, that question is more salient now than then! If you're interested you can also read my top 24 apps for 2015, which probably isn't the list you expect.

Staying with the apps theme for the moment, I thought it was interesting that Korg's latest two apps were both iPhone versions of existing apps, one from their iPad collection, the iElectribe for iPhone, and of course the iDS-10 for iPhone. This is important. I love that more apps are coming to the iPhone now, it saying something about mobility and the iPad and where the iPad range is heading.

Also on apps, Modular has been big in 2015. First we had AnalogKit modular and then Audulus 3 of course. Modular is not going away and I think both of these apps, and of course zMors modular too are really important. I did ask the question here about whether modular was actually right for mobile. You make up your own minds. Either way I think we'll see more of this in 2016 especially considering what's happening in Pd at the moment.

In terms of mobile hardware 3D touch is, for me anyway, a really big thing for mobile music, although it doesn't seem to have been adopted nearly as much as I'd expected so far and its potential is, in my opinion, huge! Although one notable adoptee is Roli with their Noise 5D app, and I hope that there'll be lots more soon. I'm hoping that this will change in 2016. But what seems to have happily eclipsed 3D touch is Ableton's Link technology, which I expect will roll out to even more apps in 2016.

I also expect that we'll see more crowdfunded (Kickstarter or Indiegogo) products in 2016. Aside from the fact that I'm waiting for a bunch of them myself it seems to be becoming the defacto way to get a good idea going these days. One of the best examples for me in 2015 was the Arpeggio, and I think it'll do really well as it will connect to its own iOS app.

Finally, one of the most important things I did this year was to help to run the SoundLab Play Space. You can read all of the posts about the Play Space here, but it was amazing to be a part of such a brilliant event and work with such great companies.

So that's a whistle stop tour of 2015. I'd like to say a quick thank you for everyone who's read PalmSounds, commented, tweeted etc in 2015. Here's to an even better and more mobile 2016!

Teenage Engineering PO-16: Which completes the set, and they do work well together. I like the idea of small and well designed hardware. I think that the only thing that TE missed with this series and also the OP-1 was a way to connect and expand the devices with a mobile device. That sounds kind of obvious now, but probably when the OP-1 came out originally it didn't make that much sense.

Monotron: The original and excellent Monotron I think it would be interesting to see if more synth makers did a Monotron equivalent. What would that look like for Yamaha? For Roland?

Thingamagoop: I've got the 2nd edition of the Thingamagoop but of course the new one comes out in 2016 and I'm really keen to see how good it is. I'm tempted, but haven't ordered one as yet.

BC-16: The rarest of rate micro modular synths. Almost impossible to find but really interesting to play with and a device that gives you an appreciation of modular synthesis and analogue work.

Handera 330: The first of two of my PDA entries. This one is the rarest of them all. Only ran Palm OS4, but it had an SD card and CF card slots onboard.

TRG-Pro: From the same makers, the Pro had a CF card slot and was pretty amazing in its day. Of course it is very good at sending MIDI, and works well with older devices.

Nebulophone: Another Bleep Labs device and a cool and cheap noise maker for having fun.

DS: I included the DS as, pre-iPhone / iOS, it was a great platform for mobile music and of course had the original DS-10 synth.

iRig acoustic: I've been really impressed by the iRig acoustic, especially when using it with my Ukulele and a bunch of effects apps.

TouchBoard: I've become a fan of the TouchBoard since using it at our SoundLab play space event. I think that the device has a lot more to offer than perhaps anyone has thought about it so far, and I hope to explore that more in 2016.

MuteSynth II: This is an incredible piece of hardware for exploring sounds. I've really enjoyed using it and have found it a great way to lose myself in sound design.

Olegtron: Another interesting and very different hardware device. Something that feels like it's going to start growing into more than just a single device, but I'm not sure where it'll end up. That's quite exciting in it's own right though.

Littlebits: If you wanted a modular experience and eurorack is too expensive, then this is (or so I'm told) a good alternative. It's also great to learn about how synthesis works.

Ototo: A very underrated device with great expansion through sensors and the ability to play anything, like fruit!

iRig MIDI 2: For connecting iOS and MIDI hardware, this is it for me. Solid and reliable and that's it.

Molecule synth: Rare, unusual, modular and strange. I'd hoped that this could develop into something and there could've been more molecules available, but it's unlikely I guess now.

Mixtape alpha: Another rare device which is difficult to play and worse to find one these days, but an interesting design and, in it's own way, quite soothing and pleasant. I like it anyway.

So there's my list. Not the usual list of hardware you might find on a blog, but a list of things I find interesting sonically and inspiring too. I hope you find it useful.

And if you're an Android user then you really want to take a look at this article a video on the Musical Android site about Pd party. Things have really moved forward and it seems that there's a lot happening in the Pd world and mobile now, especially on Android.

"Today, I go through some of the glitches and missed programming parameters. I'm trying not to make these particular videos too long or talk too much. I hope you get something out of these. Thanks for watching."

Olegtron have released a new plug in board for the Olegtron 4060. The new 7-bit plug in module is on their site although there's now way to order it as yet. It looks pretty cool though and hopefully I can get hold of a copy of it soon.

This is an interesting list, and I've annotated it with a few thoughts of my own (see below).

Video description:

"This are my favourite releases in 2015. I consider in majority only releases from 2015 and two updates from apps released in 2014.If you missing Nave and other synths, please consider that the choice is only for Synths released in 2015. This choice is only my favourites and maybe you have another selection.

Back in 2011 ago I did an interview with Peter Vogel, so it was very interesting to me to get an email from Simon who wrote this piece about the Fairlight CMI. It's great news that it is being entered into the official Sounds of Australia site, and, in my opinion, it is very well deserved.

I mentioned this earlier, but in case you didn't see it, here it is again!

"A big thank you to Lionel who emailed me to point out that Luftrum
have a 50% off sale on their preset packs and they have an Animoog and a
Thor pack that you might be interested in. If you enter "hohoho" in the
discount code field on the checkout you'll get 50% off. The Animoog's
pack price is $9, and the Thor is $29, so you can get them for $4.50,
and $14.50 respectively by using the code.

The discount ends today though, so if you want to grab them, please head over to Luftrum now and use code "hohoho"!"

Introducing DrumPerfect Pro. Human Feel Drummer for iPad.Following the steps of his predecessor DrumPerfect, DrumPerfect Pro ( DPP ) is now one of the most versatile and realistic digital drummer ever created for iPad. What set it apart is the fact that it doesn't sound like a drum machine at all. After watching and listening to this video, you will certainly know what we mean.Unique virtual drum engine for ultra-realistic performances:

random velocity selection

two-handed-playing emulation

16 linked sets (fills) to be played at programmable intervals

16 multi-sampled instruments with up to 16 samples per instrument

humanize option adds subtle randomization of velocity and timing

programmable time shift per drum stroke

programmable number of beats in a pattern (up to 32)

programmable subdivision per beat (up to 16)

smart swing function

JAM! function

BPM between 20 and 340

convolution-based reverb processor

and more....

Grid style editor for easy rhythm programming and editing.Kit editor for building your own multi-sampled drum kitsSong editor for easy song building32 velocity-sensitive pads for live-recordingRock-solid sync as a slave via Inter-App-Audio or midi-in clock syncAudio file and midi file export to other appsAudio file and midi file import from other appsFull Inter-App-Audio and Audiobus support with individual outputs per instrument (16+1)Low-latency midi-in handling for notes, control changes and program changesExtensive midi-in configuration options per portMidi-learn for mapping of notes and remote commands... and more ...New! A dedicated store with great content.DrumPerfect Pro now offers Styles Packs .Professional-grade musical content (drum kits, songs and patterns) covering a vast variety of drumming styles, downloadable as In-App Purchases.Packs available now:Funky Breakbeat vol.1 ( Classics ),Funky Breakbeat vol.2 ( Modern ),Jazz Sessions vol.1 ( Sticks )Brazilian Rhythms vol.1Heavy MetalBatucada vol.1A new User Manual is in preparation.

new module - Glide; it is similar to the MultiSynth, but it also adds the commands of smooth transition between the notes; see the glide.sunvox example;

advanced Interpolator has been added to the Pattern Editor: with this tool you can make a smooth transition of the values of any pattern columns, with various parameters (like the curve type, noise, etc.);

new function in the Module View (Routing) - Replace; use it if you want to replace the selected module by some other module without loss of connections;

MIDI buttons (with notes) linked to some SunVox actions (shortcuts) are now ignored by the synths;

added restoring of the JACK MIDI input connections;

Sampler (sample editor): now the Copy and Paste functions work through the file;

Sampler (sample editor): new effects (Invert and Center) has been added;

LFO: new controller "Duty cycle" (only for the square waveform);

CUT operation has been added to the Module View (Routing) and the Timeline;

"Christmas Time is Here- played on GeoShred. While feeling the spirit of the holiday, I decided to do this performance in a very impromptu style in my hotel room. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs"

A big thank you to Lionel who emailed me to point out that Luftrum have a 50% off sale on their preset packs and they have an Animoog and a Thor pack that you might be interested in. If you enter "hohoho" in the discount code field on the checkout you'll get 50% off. The Animoog's pack price is $9, and the Thor is $29, so you can get them for $4.50, and $14.50 respectively by using the code.

The discount ends today though, so if you want to grab them, please head over to Luftrum now and use code "hohoho"!

It's been quite a while since we saw an update of any of the 4pockets apps, or indeed any activity at all for that matter. It's a shame. When I visited their site recently I got a notice saying that the site and the IP was now the property of Kai Holdings (or something like that anyway).

I hope that at some point they come back and update some of these apps. They were pretty good in my opinion. Apps like Meteor, Aurora, and Synergy Studio, the last being my favourite so far. It would be a shame for it to become abandonware, especially as 4pockets has been such a long standing name in mobile music. They started off with Windows Mobile apps, and did some truly amazing things back then. If they stopped now it would be a big loss to the community. That's my opinion anyway.

I'll be checking in to see what's going on, if anything, and let you know.

"I've been spending some time with renowned live-looper and all round cool dude Dub Fx, talking about Loopy Masterpiece and future projects. Along the way, we made an awesome App Preview video for Loopy on the App Store. Here's something else we shot at the same time."

2015 has been a hell of a year in so many ways, at least it has been for me anyway. What about you? And as today is the very last day of the year, I'll be updating things and catching up with stuff from before Christmas, just to make sure I'm up to date before 2016 starts off.

I'll be updating the app sales page today to make sure that it is correct. You can still find a few bargains in there before the end of 2015, and don't forget to check for apps on sale via the tag 'price drops' (actually clicking on that will take you there).

So expect quite a lot of stuff today. That's the plan anyway, to see out 2015 properly.

If you remember, Korg's sale ends today, so I thought it would be worthwhile reminding you about it just in case you'd forgotten and thought you could get a deal from them right up to the new year.You can't! Their 50% off sale ends today! So, grab one of these at half price (and the IAPs at half price too).

Last but not least, the new iDS-10 is on sale and down from $19.99 to $9.99.

Also, remember that the app sales page is still up and, whilst I'm not updating it right now, I probably will do soon. Also, don't forget to check for apps on sale via the tag 'price drops' (actually clicking on that will take you there).

Just a quick message to say thanks to everyone who's visited Palm Sounds, commented, tweeted or anything else for that matter. It's been a big year for mobile music, a good year, we've had lots of great apps and interesting hardware too. I'm sure that 2016 will be just as good.

PalmSounds will be silent from now until the new year, but if you're bored you can always catch up on the most important stories (from my point of view anyway) in the featured posts. If you're looking for a bargain you can check out the app sales page, and don't forget to check posts with the tag 'price drops' (actually clicking on that will take you there), just in case. There's bound to be something on sale that you want.

So it just remains for me to say thanks again for a great year, and see you all back from January!

Interesting to see sound getting a mention here. Of course, you'll remember my involvement with SoundLab and NESTA. Well it's nice to be mentioned here by NESTA, and in good company too, with Music Tech Fest getting a mention as well.

We'll have to wait and see in what way their predictions come about next year.

I'm not a reason user, so I can't comment on if this is a good tool or not, but it looks like it's got a lot going for it. Here's the app's description:

OrangeAid turns your iPad into a control surface for Reason and Reason Essentials, giving you seamless integration with all your favorite Rack devices. Whether you're tweaking away in search of that new synth lead, making beats, recording or performing OrangeAid is ready to help.

Create your own layouts to control your Rack devices, song files and play instruments the way you want, all from within the app.

Parameter mapping is a breeze with OrangeAid. Just browse the built-in lists and tap to map!

OrangeAid can follow the Master Keyboard input in Reason. Change tracks in the Sequencer and your rack layouts automatically change to match the new device.

You can also use Reason’s surface locking to stay focused on a specific instrument or effect.

Handy Transport, Track & Patch controls are always available.

Super-fine parameter control for Knobs, Sliders & Pitch Wheel.

Designed to take full advantage of Propellerhead Software's Remote technology for complete, two-way communication with Reason.

Connect to Reason using Wi-Fi, MIDI over Bluetooth LE or with a wired connection using class-compliant equipment.

SUPPORTED RACK DEVICESInstruments

Redrum Drum Computer

SubTractor Analog Synthesizer

ID8 Instrument Device

Dr. Octo Rex Loop Player

NN-XT Advanced Sampler

Effects

Scream 4 Distortion

RV7000 Advanced Reverb

Line 6 Guitar Amp

Line 6 Bass Amp

MClass Equalizer

MClass Compressor

MClass Maximizer

MClass Stereo Imager

DDL-1 Digital Delay Line

CF-101 Chorus/Flanger

Utilities

Combinator

Matrix Pattern Sequencer

Mixer 14:2

Line Mixer 6:2

Other

Sequencer

Transport

ReGroove Mixer

AVAILABLE WITH THE PRO UPGRADEInstruments

Kong Drum Designer

Thor Polysonic Synthesizer

Malstrom Graintable Synthesizer

NN19 Digital Sampler

External MIDI Instrument

Effects

Pulveriser Demolition

The Echo

Alligator Filter Gate

BV512 Digital Vocoder

Neptune Pitch Adjuster

RV-7 Digital Reverb

D-11 Foldback Distortion

ECF-42 Envelope Controlled Filter

PH-90 Phaser

UN-16 Unison

COMP-01 Compressor/Limiter

PEQ-2 Two Band Parametric EQ

Utilities

RPG-8 Monophonic Arpeggiator

RACK EXTENSIONS
Support for individual Rack Extensions is available with separate In-App Purchases

Audiomatic Retro Transformer

A-List Acoustic Guitarist

A-List Electric Guitarist - Pop Chords

A-List Electric Guitarist - Power Chords

Parsec Spectral Synthesizer

Polar Dual Pitch Shifter

Pulsar Dual LFO

PX7 FM Synthesizer

Radical Keys

Radical Piano

Rotor Rotary Speaker

Softube Amp

Softube Bass Amp

Synchronous Effect Modulator

That’s only the beginning - support for more and more Rack Extensions will be added with regular updates.

WAIT - WHAT ABOUT THE MIXER?
Mixer support is coming soon, and there are many other features in the pipeline. If you have suggestions for new features or ways to improve OrangeAid, please get in touch!
Email: contact@soundzest.com
Twitter: @soundzest
Or you can use the feedback form in the app.

REQUIREMENTS
Compatible with iPad 2 or later and iPad mini or later. Requires iOS 7 or later.

Reason, Reason Essentials and Remote are trademarks of Propellerhead Software AB. References or use of logos or trademarks do not necessarily constitute or imply an endorsement or recommendation by Propellerhead Software.

What's New

Layout auto-switching. Set OrangeAid to follow Reason’s Master Keyboard input, or use surface locking to control a specific device, and your Rack layouts automatically change to match.

Layout Quick Picker. Open or add another layout without having to navigate to the Layout Organizer and back again.

Super-fine parameter control for Knobs, Sliders & Pitch Wheel. While touching a control, move your finger off to the side (or above/below for the Horizontal Slider) to change the parameter value more precisely. The further away you move, the more precise it gets.

Filter by Parameter. Mountains might be mountains in Zen, but buttons are not always buttons in the Rack. Sometimes they're really switches (yes, I’m looking at you Mr Combinator!) Use ‘Filter by Parameter’ in the controls list to find control types guaranteed to match a particular parameter.

Bluetooth LE MIDI. If your iPad supports it, you can use Bluetooth LE MIDI to connect to a Mac running OS X Yosemite v10.10. or later.

The world's best software arpeggiator is now available as an iPad application.

Kirnu Cream Mobile is a very powerful MIDI performer music application for iPad.
This version is almost identical to the plugin version except the mobile version includes internal synthesizer and single drum track.
Mobile version also has only one arpeggiator track by default. If needed, the rest three tracks can be purchased separately with in-app-purchase option.

This version can open plugin version presets and vise versa.

Features

4 independent tracks (One track available by default. Other can be added via IAP)

12 patterns per track

Very powerful internal 2 OSC synthesizer FOR EVERY 4 TRACKS

Two different views: Classic and quick edit view.

Live Keyboard, Chord Memory and Pattern Sequencer sections.

Sample accurate MIDI engine.

Easy to use note hold mode with transpose and bypass functionality.

Presets are compatible with the plugin version.

Powerful Pattern Step Data Section:

Tool section enables easy data editing.

All data sections are independent from each other.

Data sections can be looped with several different loop modes.

Chord memory section enables different chords to be used in every step.

Sequencer section enables sequencing the notes.

Accent, order, gate, accent, transposition, note divide, note shift.

8 CC controls in each pattern.

MIDI learn for all knob controls.

Control Zone for changing most important parameters via external keyboard or MIDI events.

Audiobus (generator) support

MIDI sync with host and slave mode

And lots of more

With Cream Mobile it’s very easy to create catching lead parts, bouncing bass lines, swinging drums and lots of other cool stuff. The only obstacle is your imagination :)

Cream Mobile isn't like any traditional MIDI arpeggiator or sequencer. It's a lot more. With simple and clever design it has been made easy to learn and operate. You can easily create cool performances by tweaking only couple of controls. If this is not enough for you there are so many ways you can control Cream that you never feel bored with it.

Kirnu Cream is good for everybody; hobbyists, professionals, producers, composers, mamas, papas... whoever needs a good MIDI performer to make their songs PERFECT!

If you are sick and tired of conventional MIDI arpeggiators, performers, sequencers you should try Cream and see yourself how it differs from the rest.

Remember that the app sales page is still up and I'm updating it right now so that it's as up to date as possible for the next few days. Also, don't forget to check for apps on sale via the tag 'price drops' (actually clicking on that will take you there).

Effectrix is one of my favourite effects apps. I love it, I find it incredibly useful and intuitive too, and it's on sale. It used to be $17.99, and now it is just $9.99. If you don't have it then I'd highly recommend it.

"Roland JP-08 Korg Electribe Elektron A4 Roland TB-3 Patterning Acid Trance seq'd with Genome MIDIThe iPad Patterning app is doing a 6 bar repeating loop of 4 different patterns of syncopated snares that gives an unpredictable element to the syncopated sections at the beginning and end. I straighten things up and mute Patterning in the middle where the trance-ish 4 on the floor straight section begins.JP-08 is playing 32nd bass notes sequenced by Genome MIDITB-3 is tying things together with the repeating 16 step acid patternElectribe is doing kick, hat, extra snares, beepboop and 1 leadA4 is quite lonely doing only the delay laden lead in the middle"

"Performing with my Crowded Planet app on iPad at the Soundlab Play Space event at Nesta, London."

Just to be clear, I actually recorded this on my iPhone at the SoundLab Play Space in November. This was a totally amazing performance and you should really check out Robert's app, it has incredible depth and beauty to it.

The basic app is free, but the whole thing is worth the small in app purchase.

Remember that the app sales page is still up and I'm updating it as often as I'm able. Also, don't forget to check for apps on sale via the tag 'price drops' (actually clicking on that will take you there).

Introducing Modstep, Modulation Monster and the first full-blown MIDI sequencer for the iPad. Modstep allows you to create music and jam with your iPad and your favorite IAA Apps, Mac and PC software and MIDI hardware as well as the internal drum sampler and synth. Use it as the centerpiece of your setup to create and perform music on the go, in the studio and on stage.FEATURES:

I remember seeing Axoloti in 2014 at the Music Tech Fest hackday. It was a great idea for a new platform, and it went from strength to strength. It crowdfunded through Indiegogo and now it's got a whole community behind it. If you like things like Reaktor or Max and hardware like Arduino, then imagine putting the two together. You have Axoloti.